6 ± 6.1 % and 73.1 ± 6.2 %, respectively) nor was the capacity to withstand cryopreservation (67.9 ± 9.0 % and 62.5 ± 8.7 %, respectively). For biopsies on Day 6 post-fertilization, 95 % of samples produced a PCR product; however, when compared to the whole embryo PCR results, approximately 11 % of biopsy-samples classified as being from a male embryo were from female embryos (false positive), indicating DNA contamination between samples. In conclusion, results of this study indicate laser-assisted blastomere extrusion is a time efficient and minimally invasive approach to biopsy IVP morula and pre-morula cattle embryos to facilitate genetic analysis.The present study was conducted to determine if increases in IGF-1 concentration, associated with treatment of ewes with melatonin, has beneficial effects on pregnancy rates when there is induction of estrus in anestrous ewes. A total of 120 multiparous lactating ewes were assigned to three groups (n = 10/group). Ewes of Group 1 were treated with a melatonin implant for 42 days followed by insertion of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device for 14 days with administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at day of CIDR removal. The ewes of Group 2 were treated with a CIDR and eCG at the same times as ewes of Group 1 and ewes of Group 3 were assigned to an be untreated control group. Melatonin implantation resulted in an increase in IGF-1 concentrations and lesser estradiol (E2) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. Ewes of Groups 1 and 2 had the greatest progesterone (P4) concentration compared ewes of Group 3. The E2P4 ratio was less in ewes of Group 1 compared Group 3. Melatonin implantation of ewes resulted in a greater pregnancy rate compared to treatment with the CIDR and eCG which, in turn, had a greater rate than ewes of the control group. In conclusion, melatonin implantation modulates the hormonal milieu including P4, E2, T3 and IGF-1 in seasonally anestrous ewes. Increased IGF-1concentrations, as a result of melatonin treatment, are associated with a greater percentage pregnancy rate when there is treatment of anestrous ewes to induce onset of estrus.Pluriparus Ossimi (n = 50) ewes were used to investigate the immune profile of the affected ewes to accurately diagnose clinical and subclinical endometritis and associations with biochemical variables. Ewes were slaughtered and animals were classified into control (no fertility problems), subclinical endometritis (SCE) and clinical endometritis (CE) groups based on pre-slaughter determinations of conception failure. Serum was collected from ewes to estimate concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as well as nitric oxide (NO) concentration. The results from immunological evaluations indicated there were greater (P  less then  0.001) serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and NO in ewes classified with SCE and CE as compared to ewes of the control group. Furthermore, values for concentrations of TNF-α were positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in ewes of the SCE and CE groups. In ewes classified with CE and SCE there were greater (P  less then  0.01) concentrations of blood glucose, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine than in ewes of the control group. It is concluded that serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are diagnostic markers for CE and SCE in ewes and serve as a criterion for different inflammatory complications in ewes classified as having CE or SCE.Physiological uterine involution during the puerperium period is essential for sow reproductive health. Uterine involution in sows has mainly been described using macroscopic and histological examination after slaughter. The aim of this study, therefore, was to describe the continuous regression of uterine diameter from day 2-14 after parturition and on the day before weaning using ultrasonography in sows housed in a free farrowing system and in farrowing crates. Bak apoptosis Diameter of three uterine cross-sections was measured at 24 -hs intervals in 46 sows housed in a free farrowing system in Switzerland and 49 sows housed in farrowing crates in Germany. Overall, there was continuous regression of uterine diameter during the lactation period in both groups. Median diameter of the uterus decreased from 32.4 mm (min 18.6 mm, max 52.3 mm) on day 2-9.0 mm (min 7.6 mm, max 12.7 mm) on the day before weaning (on average 30 days p.p.) in sows housed in free farrowing systems. Median diameter of the uterus of sows in farrowing crates decreased from 38.5 mm on day 2 (min 21.6 mm, max 56.3 mm) to 10.1 mm (min 8.8 mm, max 13.6 mm) the day before weaning (on average 29 days p.p.). Interestingly, parity, obstetrical intervention and administration of oxytocin was not associated with the decrease of uterine diameter during the study period. In summary, the ultrasonic examination is a suitable method to evaluate diameter of the uterus during the puerperium period in sows and to describe uterine involution in vivo.Conventional semen extenders contain antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth. Finding alternatives would be beneficial to minimize the development of bacterial resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) with Canicoll of dog semen on microbial load and sperm quality during cooled storage. Twenty-four ejaculates were obtained from healthy dogs by digital manipulation. Samples were diluted in Tris-citrate-fructose extender without antibiotics and divided into two treatment groups SLC-selected samples and unselected samples. Sperm motility (CASA), viability and acrosome integrity (PI/FITC-PNA) as well as bacterial load of each microorganism species (colony-forming units/mL) were assessed at 0 and 48 h of storage at 4 °C. Results indicate SLC-selected dog spermatozoa have greater percentages of motility, viability and acrosome integrity (P  less then  0.05). Bacterial growth in SLC sperm samples was less (P  less then  0.05) than unselected samples.